The four planes that make up the Red Baron Stearman Squadron appear to draw circles around the noon sun Saturday at Blue Ash Airport Days. (Brandi Stafford photos) | ZOOM |

        BLUE ASH — Through clear blue skies, 7-year-old Mike Hickey watched small planes twist and turn over his head Saturday.

        Mike and his father, Patrick, of Montgomery, were among more then 10,000 people who turned out for the opening day of Blue Ash Airport Days. As the temperature climbed to 82 degrees, the father and son watched aerobatic stunts from the Red Baron Stearman Squadron and several other performances in the sky.

Dad Scott Cook Sr. of Tiffin, Ohio, and daughter Nikki, 3, keep their eyes on the sky as pilots perform aerobatics Saturday. | ZOOM |

        The two-day event concludes 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today.

        Mike said his favorite part of the day was watching bungee jumping, but he also enjoyed “climbing over something, over there” on the climbing wall in the children's area.

        The weather was just right for an afternoon outside, father and son said.

        The Cook family of Tiffin, in northern Ohio, sat as close as they could get to the action. The family's 17-year-old daughter is receiving cancer treatment at Children's Hospital Medical Center, and the family has been staying in Blue Ash off and on for the past three months.

        “This is a great thing for the family to do,” said Scott Cook Sr., with his 3-year-old daughter on his lap and 8-year-old son at his side.

IF YOU GO

• What: Sixth annual Blue Ash Airport Days.     • When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today. Aerobatic acts will take place noon-3 p.m.     • Where: Blue Ash Airport, Glendale-Milford Road and Reed Hartman Highway.     • Cost: $5 adults, free to children 12 and under.     • Information: 981-7179 or log on to www.airportdays.com.

        Cheryl Popp, coordinator of Airport Days, said it is no surprise that families are spending the weekend together at the show in Blue Ash.

        “It is a family event,” she said.

        “We call it a million thrills in the air and on the ground because everything isn't happening upstairs.”

        Ms. Popp said the sixth installment of Airport Days is the biggest yet, with more performers than in past years. Three hundred cars are expected today for an antique car show.

        “I went on my first helicopter and small plane ride today,” said Claudia Merrick of New Orleans, who was in town with her husband to show off a 1913 motorcycle. “This is great.”
       

Ky. dioceses lead U.S. in priest abuse lawsuits
Bishops revoke invitation to abuse victims' group
Priest target of 48 suits
Convenience attracts N.Ky. drug buyers
Foreign-born numbers double
Security won't be left to faith
Airport Days all about family
Ball planned for seniors, disabled
Charter school moves closer to 'home'
Deal near on high school site
Driver faces charges after traffic attack
House destroyed in fire
Man charged after shooting suspect in leg
McCrackin's spirit alive in West End
Obituary: Betty Ritterhoff, 91, loved history, dance
Saying goodbye to graffiti
Summit teaches love for users
Tristate A.M. Report
BRONSON: Ready & willing
CROWLEY: Ky. Politics
PULFER: Roxanne Qualls
SMITH AMOS: Since Sept. 11
Rebels expected attack, ex-hostage says
Work begins on shopping center
Dayton Peace Prize awarded
Democrats to elect new party head
One school stands tall on expanding view of evolution
Truckers keep eyes on road looking out for terrorists
Covington schools seek more diversity
Feds to inspect coal-waste site
Hitchhiker run over by truck
Kentucky News Briefs
Work on Ali center starting